Colorado Football: Spring Practice Storylines That Matter

2016 Colorado Spring Football storylines: What’s the big deal, what to worry about, and what’s all set.

Mike MacIntyre needs results this year at Colorado …

The Buffs would be better served in the Mountain West, so, yeah, this is one of the tougher Power Five Jobs. But MacIntyre really needs to make a run at .500 after starting 2-25 in Pac-12 play in his first three years. He’ll have a senior quarterback, Sefo Liufau, a veteran two-deep and a second year with Jim Leavitt as the head of the defense. No one is expecting miracles in Boulder, but if the Buffs are unable to get to six wins it’s fair to wonder if MacIntyre will earn a fifth season as the head of the program.

No One Is Worried About …

The secondary. The Buffaloes engineered a quantum leap in pass defense in 2015, rising from No. 10 in the pass defense to No. 4 a year ago. And three talented starters are back from that unit, including all-league cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and safety Tedric Thompson. Progress is expected to continue this fall.

Extra Attention Must Be Given To …

Stopping the run. It’s an annual thing for the Buffaloes, which have given up at least 4.9 yards per carry in each of the last five seasons. Defensive tackle Justin Solis is the only significant loss from the front seven, so there is cautious optimism that Colorado can finally begin making strides at the point of attack.